Sexual Violence Prevention
Scientific Information: Prevention Strategies
Sexual Violence Prevention Navigation
- Home
- Definitions
- Data Sources
- Risk and Protective Factors
- Consequences
- Prevention Strategies
- Diffusion
- Additional Resources
Sexual violence is a serious problem that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends and communities. The goal for sexual violence prevention is simple-to stop it from happening in the first place. However, the solutions are just as complex as the problem.
Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce risk factors and promote protective factors for sexual violence. In addition, they should address all levels that influence sexual violence
-the individual, relationship, community, and society.
Effective and Promising Programs
Little is known about what works to prevent sexual violence. The vast majority of sexual violence prevention programs have not been rigorously evaluated to determine their effectiveness. In the absence of proven prevention strategies, program planners can use the prevention principles to strengthen their approach.
Prevention Principles
- Nine Principles of Effective Prevention Programs
- Applying the Principles of Prevention: What do Prevention Practitioners Need to Know About What Works
- Nation M, Crusto C, Wandersman A, Kumpfer K, Seybolt D, Morrissey-Kane E, Davino K. What works in prevention: principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist. 2003;58(6/7):449-56.
Relevant Review Articles and Book Chapters
- Bachar K, Koss MP. From prevalence to prevention: Closing the gap between what we know about rape and what we do. In: Sourcebook on Violence Against Women. Renzetti C, Edleson J, Bergen RK, editors, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage;2001.
- Morrison S, Hardison J, Mathew A, O'Neil J. An evidence-based review of sexual assault preventive intervention programs. Department of Justice. 2004. Available from URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/207262.pdf.
- Schewe PA. Interventions to prevent sexual violence. In: Doll L, Bonzo S, Sleet D, Mercy J, Hass E, editors. Handbook of Injury and Violence Prevention. New York, NY: Springer; 2007. p.183-201.
- Wathen C N,, MacMillan H L. Interventions for violence against women: scientific review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;289:589-600.
World Report on Violence and Health*
This report is the first comprehensive review of violence on a global scale. Chapter 6 provides detailed information on sexual violence, including prevention strategies.
Other Resources
CDC provides funds to universities, medical centers, and other outside organizations to conduct research related to sexual violence prevention.
National Sexual Violence Prevention Resource Center
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center identifies and disseminates information, resources, and research on all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention.
Preventing Violence Against Women: Program Activities Guide
This guide describes CDC's public health activities and research to prevent violence against women.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
Content Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention
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